Former deputy PM Saade Chami: Banks are the most powerful lobbying group in Lebanon

Former Deputy Prime Minister in Najib Mikati’s government from 2021 to 2022, Saade Chami reflects in his book, "Bound by Design: Public Service in a Broken System," on his role in negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the obstacles that hampered reform efforts, and the conditions he believes are necessary to restore confidence. L’Orient-Le Jour: Why did you decide to write this book ?Chami: At first, I wasn’t convinced that writing a memoir about my time in government would serve much purpose. With time, however, I came to understand that experiences gained in public service should not remain merely personal memories. They are part of our collective memory because they help explain why institutions function — or cease to function — how decisions are made, and why reforms succeed or fail. I also hope that this...